In a strategic move to enhance the user experience and simplify the tax filing process, the Austrian tax-saving apps Mei Marie and RelaxTax have merged under the umbrella of Linde Digital. This merger brings together two innovative solutions aimed at making the tax assessment easier and more accessible for users. Venionaire Capital played a key role in advising on this merger, guiding both parties through the transaction to bring about a more powerful, integrated platform for Austrian taxpayers. With this fusion, the combined strengths of both apps are set to revolutionize the way users navigate their tax filings, providing a more comprehensive and user-friendly solution. 

The Origins of Mei Marie and RelaxTax 

Mei Marie, the tax app launched in October 2023, aimed to simplify the process of filing the employee tax assessment and maximize potential tax savings. Developed by the Linde Verlag, a well-known Austrian company specializing in law, economics, and tax matters, Mei Marie focused on empowering users with the knowledge and tools to identify where they could save on taxes. The app emphasized personal responsibility, guiding users on how to find and claim deductions. 

Soon after, in April 2024, RelaxTax, a Tax-Tech startup based in Vienna, followed suit. RelaxTax took a more hands-on approach by offering users “Tax Buddies” that assisted with tax filing. These characters, modeled after former Austrian politicians and public officials, added a light-hearted touch to the typically tedious process of tax adjustment. 

The New Bot Service – A Complete Solution 

One of the major developments following the merger is the introduction of the “Bot Service” for Mei Marie users. This means that Mei Marie users can now submit their tax adjustments directly to the tax authorities through RelaxTax’s platform, ensuring both security and compliance without relying on third-party providers. This step brings additional convenience and security to users. 

“Taxpayers face three key challenges when dealing with the employee tax assessment: What can I deduct? How do I properly substantiate my claims if the tax office asks? And how do I correctly submit my claims to the authorities to get my money back without any problems?” explains Berthold Baurek-Karlic, Head of Digital Transformation at Linde Digital and CEO of Venionaire Capital. “With the tips and archive features already in place, Mei Marie has solved the first two challenges. The Bot Service now completes the offering.” 

Expanded Features for Users 

The merger also brings expanded features for users of both apps. RelaxTax users will soon have access to the “SteuerSparBuch” from Linde, which serves as the foundation for Mei Marie. On the other hand, Mei Marie users can now take advantage of RelaxTax’s Bot Service and receive personal concierge-style support. Both apps will continue to offer free and paid versions, ensuring there’s a suitable solution for all users. 

“We want to maintain the distinct target groups of Mei Marie and RelaxTax within the employee tax assessment space, but we will also continue to specialize and refine our offerings,” says Baurek-Karlic. “For example, RelaxTax will develop into a multilingual app, which is an important step considering that around a quarter of Austria’s employees are non-native German speakers.” 

A New Chapter for Tax Filing 

The merger of Mei Marie and RelaxTax represents a significant step toward providing a more comprehensive, user-friendly, and secure solution for tax filing in Austria. With the introduction of the Bot Service, expanded features, and plans for multilingual support, tax filing is becoming more accessible and understandable for a wider range of people. 

Venionaire Capital was pleased to advise on this transaction, helping bring together these two innovative solutions that are set to redefine the tax filing process. The future of tax-saving apps looks promising, and this merger sets a new standard in the world of digital tax services.